FiiO E10K or Asus Xonar U7

[RightSaid]

Not sure if it's the correct place to post this, otherwise could the Mods help me move this to the appropriate place?

Just upgraded my rig and found out that my soundcard (Creative X-Fi Xtrememusic) has died as my computer is unable to boot (DRam indicator on). Only after removing it then it is able to boot to Windows.

After reading a few threads, I've decided to explore the option of getting an external soundcard or DAC/Amp as I hate the Realtek onboard sound.

Currently I'm using the Harman/Kardon soundsticks 3. Main usage will be for movies, music, and gaming(Dota 2, CSGO, Witcher 3). I don't have a dedicated headphone so I'm purely using my speakers (not sure if I'm planning to invest in one in the future).

Could you advise me whether the FiiO E10K or the Asus Xonar U7 is more suitable for my usage? Is there any place which I can visit to give it a try and are there any issues with running them on Windows 10?

TL;DR
Which is better for pairing together with a Soundsticks 3 for movies,music, and gaming? Any place to test them both and are there any issues for using it on Windows 10?

TIA!

 

[enenyi]

Not sure if it's the correct place to post this, otherwise could the Mods help me move this to the appropriate place?

Just upgraded my rig and found out that my soundcard (Creative X-Fi Xtrememusic) has died as my computer is unable to boot (DRam indicator on). Only after removing it then it is able to boot to Windows.

After reading a few threads, I've decided to explore the option of getting an external soundcard or DAC/Amp as I hate the Realtek onboard sound.

Currently I'm using the Harman/Kardon soundsticks 3. Main usage will be for movies, music, and gaming(Dota 2, CSGO, Witcher 3). I don't have a dedicated headphone so I'm purely using my speakers (not sure if I'm planning to invest in one in the future).

Could you advise me whether the FiiO E10K or the Asus Xonar U7 is more suitable for my usage? Is there any place which I can visit to give it a try and are there any issues with running them on Windows 10?

TL;DR
Which is better for pairing together with a Soundsticks 3 for movies,music, and gaming? Any place to test them both and are there any issues for using it on Windows 10?

TIA!

I have the Asus U7 hooked up to Presonus Eris E5 speakers. My bro has the FiiO E17k connected to Mackie CR4 speakers. I've tried both of them on my speakers, so I guess I can give u an objective comparison (FiiO E17K roughly the same sounding as E10K when compared to U7)?

Music: Both perform well. Asus U7 gives wider soundstage (i.e. virtual stage sounds wider), while FiiO E17K gives more refined vocals.

Movies: Asus U7 sounds more cinematic, stereo imaging is better due to it being a soundcard. FiiO E17K gives better sounding conversations.

Gaming: Both perform well. Asus U7 has the edge in this by providing better stereo imaging, hence better 'surround'.

So if u find urself listening to music more often, the FiiO would be a better choice. Else the Asus U7 would be a better choice for an all-rounder experience in movies, gaming and music.

 

[wwenze]

Ask yourself this question

Which one makes you feel more awesome if you own it

 

[wacko]

have you tried the onboard ALC1150 with your speakers?

 

[RightSaid]

I have the Asus U7 hooked up to Presonus Eris E5 speakers. My bro has the FiiO E17k connected to Mackie CR4 speakers. I've tried both of them on my speakers, so I guess I can give u an objective comparison (FiiO E17K roughly the same sounding as E10K when compared to U7)?

Music: Both perform well. Asus U7 gives wider soundstage (i.e. virtual stage sounds wider), while FiiO E17K gives more refined vocals.

Movies: Asus U7 sounds more cinematic, stereo imaging is better due to it being a soundcard. FiiO E17K gives better sounding conversations.

Gaming: Both perform well. Asus U7 has the edge in this by providing better stereo imaging, hence better 'surround'.

So if u find urself listening to music more often, the FiiO would be a better choice. Else the Asus U7 would be a better choice for an all-rounder experience in movies, gaming and music.

Thank you so much for the input! Seems like the FiiO steers more towards the music enjoyment while the U7 as you put it, is an all-rounder. But do you face any driver issues on Windows 10? I think it'd be a show stopper if that really happens.

Ask yourself this question

Which one makes you feel more awesome if you own it

I don't know leh... I read review about the both of them but still having mixed feelings.

have you tried the onboard ALC1150 with your speakers?

Yup I've tried it. I even tried the Nahimic software that comes with it but somehow the effect is kind of thin... Maybe I'm too used to my previous X-FI card...?

 

[enenyi]

Thank you so much for the input! Seems like the FiiO steers more towards the music enjoyment while the U7 as you put it, is an all-rounder. But do you face any driver issues on Windows 10? I think it'd be a show stopper if that really happens.

U7 drivers seem to have been taken special attention to by Asus. Nothing like the mainstream Xonar drivers that CMI. Drivers for U7 work right off the bat for Win7, 8.1 and 10. So far havent been tinkering ard with it coz i went with flat EQ, but plenty of options to play with.

 

[RightSaid]

U7 drivers seem to have been taken special attention to by Asus. Nothing like the mainstream Xonar drivers that CMI. Drivers for U7 work right off the bat for Win7, 8.1 and 10. So far havent been tinkering ard with it coz i went with flat EQ, but plenty of options to play with.

Oh okay cool! By the way do you know if there's any place that I can have a feel of the U7 or even try a sampling test?

 

[enenyi]

Oh okay cool! By the way do you know if there's any place that I can have a feel of the U7 or even try a sampling test?

Cybermind may have. PCThemes might also allow u to, depends.

For me, I upgraded to U7 from Asus DSX (top up $50 at Ban Leong) coz I had some EMI issues with the card, so I didn't actually get to audition the U7 technically.

 

[RightSaid]

Cybermind may have. PCThemes might also allow u to, depends.

For me, I upgraded to U7 from Asus DSX (top up $50 at Ban Leong) coz I had some EMI issues with the card, so I didn't actually get to audition the U7 technically.

Oh okay, guess i'll have to make a trip down to SLS to find out.. Anyway just being curious, why did u leave the EQ flat? Were you lazy to explore the many options?

 

[enenyi]

Oh okay, guess i'll have to make a trip down to SLS to find out.. Anyway just being curious, why did u leave the EQ flat? Were you lazy to explore the many options?

Coz i'm using studio monitor speakers? And EQ-ing would defeat the purpose of buying these speakers in the first place.

 

[RightSaid]

Coz i'm using studio monitor speakers? And EQ-ing would defeat the purpose of buying these speakers in the first place.

Oops i forgotten about that. Thanks for taking the effort to reply and advise me, appreciate it!

 

[enenyi]

Oops i forgotten about that. Thanks for taking the effort to reply and advise me, appreciate it!

No probs.

Hope u make the right purchasing decision.